A violent confrontation inside a Miami apartment ended with a gunshot fired and a woman fleeing with her infant, according to an arrest report detailing a series of alleged assaults that unfolded Tuesday. The accused, 33-year-old Erick LaPlante, is now facing multiple felony charges after police say the dispute escalated to attempted murder inside the couple’s home.
MIAMI, FL – Officers responded to a report of domestic violence at an apartment in the 1100 block of NE 215th Street, where a woman told police her boyfriend had threatened her life and fired a gun at close range while her baby was nearby. According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident began while the victim was napping with her infant daughter when LaPlante entered the room and grabbed her phone.
Investigators say LaPlante allegedly forced the victim to unlock her phone at gunpoint, placing the weapon in her mouth as he demanded access. The woman told police she complied out of fear, after which he began searching through her messages.
Alleged assault escalates to gunfire
According to the affidavit, LaPlante confronted the victim about a conversation he found on the phone and then slammed her to the ground. He allegedly pinned her down and pressed his arms against her neck, restricting her breathing. When she told him she could not breathe, he responded “good,” according to police.
Authorities said LaPlante then pointed the gun at the victim and questioned her about whether she was involved with another man. “Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you,” he allegedly said, according to the report.
Moments later, investigators say he fired the weapon, narrowly missing the victim while the infant was nearby. After the shot, he allegedly picked up the casing and showed it to her, saying, “You see this. You see I’m not playing.”
Escape and arrest
Police said the violence continued after the gunshot, with LaPlante allegedly striking the victim repeatedly with the firearm and choking her to the point she felt she might lose consciousness. The attack left her with visible injuries, including a cut to her lip.
The situation changed when the victim’s sister arrived at the apartment. According to the affidavit, LaPlante told the victim to take a shower to conceal her injuries. Instead, she grabbed her baby and fled to her sister, who helped her leave the apartment and contact authorities.
Officers later located and arrested LaPlante. He was transported to the Miami-Dade County Jail, where he remains without bond. Court records show he faces charges including attempted murder, armed robbery, battery by strangulation, and aggravated assault.
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